Madison Chock and Evan Bates Secure Silver in Emotional 2026 Olympics Ice Dance
On Wednesday night, Madison Chock and Evan Bates achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the silver medal in ice dance at the 2026 Olympics. Their emotional performance at the Assago Ice Skating Arena left an indelible mark on spectators, even as they processed the bittersweet outcome of their efforts.
Silver Medal Performance
Chock and Bates, who have been skating partners for 15 years and married for two, showcased their talent with a toreador-inspired routine set to Ramin Djawadi’s cover of “Paint It, Black.” They skated 19th out of 20 teams, captivating American fans present at the venue.
Scores and Rankings
- Final combined score: 224.39
- Gold medalists: Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (score: 225.82)
- Bronze medalists: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (score: 217.74)
Despite delivering what Bates described as their “gold-medal performance,” their score was narrowly edged out by France’s Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron.
A Bittersweet Experience
The mixed zone atmosphere proved challenging for the couple, who seemed to wrestle with their emotions post-performance. Chock remarked on the bittersweet nature of their achievement, saying, “Sometimes that’s just how it shakes out.”
Reflections on the Journey
Having trained extensively and competed in four Olympics, this silver medal represented both a significant accomplishment and a source of heartache. Bates reflected, “Sometimes you can feel like you do everything right and it doesn’t go your way. We felt like we were very close.”
Other American Competitors
Other American ice dancers making their Olympic debuts also delivered commendable performances. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko secured 11th place with a score of 197.62. Meanwhile, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik achieved a surprising fifth place with a total of 206.72.
Closing Thoughts
Reflecting on their journey, Chock stated, “We did everything we set out to accomplish. There’s nothing more we could have done, nothing we would change.” The pair, renowned for their accolades including three-time World and Grand Prix Final champions and seven-time U.S. champions, will continue to inspire as they navigate their Olympic legacy.
